Downton Abbey - Am I Missing Something?

OK, so... I freely admit I've seen 25 minutes worth of one episode. So, I very well could be missing a great deal. But that's my reason for asking so. So please don't eye-roll and flame me if I am, alright? Thanks!

But... from that cursory exposure... I find what little I observed, I didn't like. It seems to me a show about one of the wrongs of our past: the class system. A wrong that still exists today, but that we've made great ambitious strides towards pushing as far out of our culture as we can,

Am I wrong? Is it really a show about how all the servants save the day and educate the rich upper crust of the evils of a class system? Or something otherwise redeeming?

I have only seen the first season, but I loved it. I don't think there's some deep lesson about the rights or wrongs of the class system; it just happens to be the setting. It provides for some interesting drama that you don't get to see too often. The characters are engaging, the storylines are fun, and Maggie Smith is just downright hysterical.

It struck me as a variation on Buddenbrooks. Maggie Smith makes the show watchable, otherwise, it's as exciting as watching paint dry. The tribulations of a bunch of posh tossers really doesn't engage my interest here any more than it did in Buddenbrooks.

OK, so... I freely admit I've seen 25 minutes worth of one episode. So, I very well could be missing a great deal. But that's my reason for asking so. So please don't eye-roll and flame me if I am, alright? Thanks!

But... from that cursory exposure... I find what little I observed, I didn't like. It seems to me a show about one of the wrongs of our past: the class system. A wrong that still exists today, but that we've made great ambitious strides towards pushing as far out of our culture as we can,

Am I wrong? Is it really a show about how all the servants save the day and educate the rich upper crust of the evils of a class system? Or something otherwise redeeming?

What's the attraction of this show?

Click to expand...

It's well-made, has lots of good period detail and an ensemble of fine performers playing nicely developed characters. It has a lot of dialogue that bears attending to, there's not much action and what conflict there is is often understated. It's not for everyone.

The servants are not always good examples; they can be as judgmental and hierarchical as the aristocrats, or more so.

IMO the show has gone down a notch each season; the third season has been outright silly at times, although there was one major dramatic development that made up for some of it. I still enjoy the show, mostly for the character dynamics and performances.

It's a period piece soap. It's got a beautiful setting and great costumes and lots of British accents (which I love!). It's not for everyone. Hell, I was convinced that I would be bored to tears watching it, but I ended up enjoying it quite a bit!

I've only just sttarted watching it this season but I've ordered the first and second. It's set in a time of great social change and you see that change catching up to the old guard, both above- and below-stairs.

It all comes down to what you like. I'm all for character drama and it works really well for me there.

OK, so... I freely admit I've seen 25 minutes worth of one episode. So, I very well could be missing a great deal. But that's my reason for asking so. So please don't eye-roll and flame me if I am, alright? Thanks!

But... from that cursory exposure... I find what little I observed, I didn't like. It seems to me a show about one of the wrongs of our past: the class system. A wrong that still exists today, but that we've made great ambitious strides towards pushing as far out of our culture as we can,

Am I wrong? Is it really a show about how all the servants save the day and educate the rich upper crust of the evils of a class system? Or something otherwise redeeming?

What's the attraction of this show?

Click to expand...

It's well-made, has lots of good period detail and an ensemble of fine performers playing nicely developed characters.

Click to expand...

Costumes maybe but the social-political stuff is either so simplified to be insulting or simply wrong or sanitised paternalist bilge.

I didn't care much for it at first, but later, really enjoyed how the storylines mirror a little of what was going on historically and frankly, what REALLY hooked me was the cast of characters. I love all the subtle intrigue both among the servants and the family, the tiny details in what is said and what isn't said.

And, please, Maggie Smith doing what she does best--steal scenes left and right. I love her.

I am COMPLETELY Team Edith. I know what it's like to be the "ugly sister" so I completely sympathize with her.

Count me on Team Edith as well. I was pissed off when Lord Grantham torpedoed her marriage. Edith must take after the Granthams though, since her sisters look like their mother. ( Some good casting there.)